The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-11-28
AGRICULTURAL TOPICS.
Why Agricultural Fairs Have
Become Of Less Interest
to Farmers Than
Formerly.
The Waste on Western Farms Largely
Due to Peculiar Local Circumstances.
Have They Had Thsir nay


as rule been tolerably successful.
Generally the receipts were larger
than the expenditures. The money
received for admission tickets ordinarily
paid the premiums, and that obtained
, from other sources paid the remaining
expenses. No serious accident occur
red at any Of the fairs held this season.
and no disturbances were reported.
There were fewer Objectionable side
shows than usual. less gambling, and
less grog-selling. Those who visited
many fairs this season state that they
saw few things that were calculated 10
offend the moral sense OF the visitors
1t is observable that there 10 moro
harmony about locating and managing
agricultural fairs than there was q few
years ago One town does not now
establish and support fair in order to
show spite toward some rival town in
the same county. There are few
counties in the western states il. which
. fair is not held. and only in rare in
stances is there more than one
All these things appear to be favora-
BILE to the success Of fairs as they are
now conducted. 1t is generally admit
ted, however. that there Is u lack of in
terest, or at least of enthusiasm, OH the
part Of farmers in respect TO fairs.
They have ordinarily allowed their
management to pass out OF their hands,
and have permitted them to be con-
Quoted by men living in town, who
have only an indirect interest in farm
ing. As members and officers OF fair
association often have no special inter-
est in agriculture. they are likely TO
look upon fair simply as a means of
making money and affording pleasure.
They arrange sort of variety enter
tainment in which farming interests
are represented to about the same OK
tent they are in an ordinary agricultural
college-just enough to justify using
the name and securing an appropria-
slon. There are fine animals of war;
ous kinds, a few field. orchard and
garden products, some flowers and
pictures and specimens Of fancy ncedle-
work. There are other and greater
attractions in the form of horse
balloon ascensions, military drills, brass
bands, distinguished strangers, and per-
haps collections of curiosities OF various
sorts
The fair is likely to be very enjoy
able entertainment Farmers come to
it with their families and have pleas
ant time. If they make exhibits and
obtain premiums they are made happy
and are paid for the trouble they have
had in taking articles to the show. The
mouot0ny Of farm life is broken, and
good results from the change. That
some new and valuable ideas are OBJ
tanned is ordinarily true. That farmers
do not spend much OF their time at fairs
In going from one stock-pen 10 another
and comparing the merits of the ami
mails or in watching the examination Of
committees is a. matter Of common OBJ
servation. Farmers in England and
France may spend their time at stock
show in this manner, 40 there is little
but live stock TO claim their attention.
But our fairs are too much like circus
in diverting attention The pursuit of
knowledge is constantly being inter-
rupted by inducements to participate
In the pursuit OF pleasure. The per-
formances on tho race-track will cause
every person to leave the agricultural
hall, while the keepers will leave the
herds and the shepherds desert their
aocks. Farmers have SO little sport at
home that they are inclined to make the
most Of the advantages afforded by
fairs. -tt
Fairs do not instruct people as they
once did. A generation ago, specimens
Of the improved breeds of cattle, horses. ,
sheep, and swine were not distributed I
about the country. II any of them
came long distances 10 see them. They
were rs great novelties as the wild an I
imals captured In distant part OF the
world. Now, specimens Of all these :
breeds have become so common that {
almost every farmer and farmers boy !
have seen them. and know of their
inertia Besides. the IL
lustrated livestock journals have pro-
duced portraits of thu most noted speci- 8
mems Of ell the breeds of fancy animals. !
10 that they are almost a. familiar to
people a. the pictures of distinguished
men. The illustrated Biographies Of
noted animals are now published and
read by most persons interested In live {
1tock mattera Itis easier TO obtain the
pedigree Of race-horse Than The gene
Alogy Of q statesman or philosopher. I
Young boys can 1T once. recognize . 4
Hereford. Jersey. or Holsticn COW by z
The information they have derived .
from the study Of pictures. People are b
better informed about the various p
breeds of farm animals thm upon any II
subject or which they converse. q
Twenty-Five years sgQ many pco u
pie attended fairs principally 10. Fl
he purpose Of seeing the farm impIe- q